ORIGIN

Shows Potential: 1973 Ford Courier

This 1973 Ford Courier is a decent looking example of the increasingly hard-to-find Mazda-built compact pick-up, and though currently registered non-op, it’s priced accordingly and may be worth further investigation provided rust is limited. What can be made out in the ad is promising, and mechanicals are bone-simple–hopefully it all checks out in person, as it could make for a fun, unusual and very useful little truck. Find it here on Craigslist in San Bernardino, California for $2,900 OBO.

Engineered and built by Mazda in Japan and broadly similar to their B-series (and Rotary Pick-up), Couriers were shipped to the US sans bed–what the industry calls a “chassis cab”–and then fully assembled as part of prep for sale.This one wears mismatched rubber, but overall looks straight and complete underneath the best factory color.

Front end styling was changed from the B-series to better jive with Ford’s full-size F-series trucks, and this one’s grille looks plenty faded and pitted but otherwise seems to be holding up well. The shag carpet dash cover needs to go ASAP, even if it is almost certainly hiding a cracked-up pad. The aftermarket wheel isn’t ideal either, but the cab interior looks mostly stock and surprisingly decent otherwise–note what looks like under-dash A/C.

No engine bay shots are provided, and it’s unclear exactly why the truck is registered non-op. Power should come from a 1.8 liter OHC four delivering 74 HP and 92 lb. ft. of torque to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual. The truck looks like it’s been in California for a while, and with any luck will be as solid as photos seem to suggest–the period aftermarket sunroof won’t be as easy a fix as the shag dash pad, but otherwise there’s little here to complain about.